The others… each unique in their own way—specialists, geniuses, warriors, and strategists. The pillars upon which my fleet would be built.
Red Empress snapped her fingers, and in an instant, a sleek watch materialized on every crew member's wrist.
"These devices," she explained, "are connected to the ship's navigation and communication systems. They will guide you to your assigned cabins and provide you with mission updates when necessary."
She raised her hand in a simple yet elegant gesture. "The rest of you, follow the directions displayed on your watches. Dismissed."
As the crowd dispersed while mingling among themself and introducing themselves to each other, the Red Empress teleported herself and the eight group leaders to the command center, where Kallus awaited them.
I stood from my command seat, smiling warmly. "Welcome to the command center. Please introduce yourselves."
The first to step forward was a middle-aged man with sharp features, his presence exuding intelligence and confidence. His piercing gaze reflected the mind of a born genius, a scientist whose knowledge was as vast as the stars.
"Fleet Commander Kallus," he said, his voice steady and firm. "My name is Tyler."
He paused briefly before continuing. "I am the Chief Researcher and lead technician of this fleet. Under my command are 999 of the finest scientists and engineers, each one eager to push the boundaries of technology. With your guidance, we can revolutionize the R&D division and elevate our fleet to unparalleled heights."
I was quite surprised by Tyler's enthusiasm and his bold vision to push the boundaries of technology. A hint of satisfaction flickered in my eyes as I glanced at him before speaking.
"I commend you for your passion and vision, Chief Researcher," I said, my tone firm yet appreciative. "I do not doubt that, under your experienced and talented leadership, our 999 finest scientists and engineers will propel us to new heights. This is our first step toward building a fleet of our own—one that will shape the future."
To this, he nodded in appreciation. "Thank you for your trust, Commander. I will not let you down," Tyler replied with determination.
"There is no need to thank me, Chief Researcher," I said. "Through this, you will also have the opportunity to prove your competence."
With that, our conversation came to an end, and he stepped back, making way for the next person to come forward.
Next came a stunning woman, not far from the level of the Red Empress in presence. Her striking green hair and matching emerald eyes reflected the essence of nature itself, complementing her calm and composed demeanor.
"I am Jesika, the Chief Doctor," she introduced herself, her voice smooth yet authoritative. "My expertise lies in genetics and other advanced medical sciences. I oversee 500 medical professionals under my command, ensuring the well-being of our fleet."
A tall man in a crisp military uniform stepped forward, a badge on his chest marking him as a space fighter pilot. He carried a quiet yet undeniable presence—the kind possessed by those who had led armies before. There was no doubt he was a born commander.
"Ezra Tanno, Commander of the Fighter Division," he introduced himself, his voice steady and authoritative. "I lead a team of 1,000 elite pilots, among whom are highly capable leaders and skilled support personnel."
Following him was another man in a military uniform, his jet-black hair neatly kept, and his piercing eyes radiating the aura of a seasoned warrior. His presence alone commanded respect.
"I am Marcus, Commander of the Armed Forces, specifically the Marine Division," he introduced himself, his voice firm and unwavering. "I lead 4,000 soldiers, among whom are highly capable leaders and brilliant strategists."
Then stepped forward a woman with radiant blue eyes, white hair, and an aura of authority that I instinctively felt connected to. "Fleet Commander, my name is Emma. I am the Grandmaster Knight. Under my command are 19 Grandmaster Knights, 80 Master Knights, 150 Elite Knights, 250 Knights, and 500 Apprentice Knights. We are the fleet's special forces, capable of sensing and absorbing mana an application of Dark Matter."
A man with dark hair but strikingly vibrant blue eyes stepped forward.
"Fleet Commander, I am Damien, Commander of the Mecha Division," he announced, his voice steady and confident. "I oversee 500 mecha pilots and engineers."
The moment he mentioned the Mecha Division, my eyes widened slightly as excitement surged within me. Mechas had a unique charm over me—just like spaceships did. For a brief moment, I imagined towering war machines clashing in battle, but I quickly suppressed my enthusiasm, maintaining a composed demeanor. With a simple nod, I acknowledged him.
Next was a slightly older man with a rugged appearance. "My name is Evans. I am the Fleet's Resource and Industrial Head. I lead a team of 1,500 engineers, miners, and workers."
Finally, a petite woman with a bright smile stepped forward. "Fleet Commander, I am Liliana, the Chief Chef. I oversee a culinary team of 500 to ensure the fleet is well-fed and energized."
I looked at each of them, my heart swelling with a mixture of pride and excitement. "Thank you all for your introductions. I am honored to lead such an extraordinary group. Together, we will achieve greatness."
The eight leaders bowed respectfully, their determination clear. With my core team assembled, I felt the first real step toward my destiny had been taken.
I leaned back in my command seat, my eyes scanning the eight leaders who now stood before me. "Gentlemen and ladies, I've come to know your names and roles, but I am deeply curious about each of you—your capabilities, your divisions, and what you bring to this fleet. However," I paused, "those discussions will have to wait. There's much to do."
I turned to the Red Empress, a faint smile playing on my lips. "Red Empress, take us to the discussion room."
The Red Empress bowed slightly. "As you wish, Master." With a wave of her hand, the group disappeared from the command center and reappeared in a pristine conference room.
The room was sleek and futuristic, its polished white surfaces gleaming under the soft lighting. At the center stood a circular table with nine seats, the largest and most commanding chair reserved for Kallus. The eight leaders took their places around the table, while the Red Empress stood behind me, her holographic form glowing faintly.
"Red Empress," I said, "show us where we are."
The Red Empress raised her hand, and a hologram materialized above the table, displaying a detailed view of the surrounding space. The image revealed an asteroid-rich sector not far from a familiar solar system.
"Master," the Red Empress began, "we are currently located in a sector near the solar system containing Earth. Based on my calculations, Earth is in the year 2026. Their space exploration has expanded significantly—they've even reached the Alpha Centauri star system. Their progress, while still rudimentary compared to ours, is impressive for their species and timeline."
I nodded, unsurprised. The Red Empress had already informed me of this earlier. "While we possess the power to dominate and destroy, brute force is not the path I wish to take. If we aim to build an empire, we need people—loyal, willing individuals. Earth is the perfect source, but forceful methods will only sow dissent and chaos. We must approach peacefully, offering a better future to those willing to join us."
The leaders listened intently, their expressions thoughtful.
"Before we proceed toward Earth," I continued, "I want each of you to focus on organizing your divisions and familiarizing yourselves with one another. This fleet is a team, and teamwork is essential."
I turned to Ezra Tanno. "Commander Tanno, I am assigning one of the Antares-Class Battleships to you and your battalion for now. Lead it with honor."
Ezra saluted sharply. "Understood, Fleet Commander," he said, his voice brimming with excitement.
My gaze shifted to Emma. "Grandmaster Knight Emma, the second Antares-Class Battleship will be under your command, along with your battalion of knights."
Emma bowed slightly, her piercing blue eyes meeting his. "It will be an honor, Fleet Commander."
I then addressed Evans, the resource head. "Evans, I want our mining machines deployed immediately. Begin extracting resources from the nearby asteroids and refining them in our ship's facilities."
"Once we have sufficient materials, activate the Dark Molecular Printers in the shipyards. Start producing starships. With the speed of the printers, an Antares-Class ship can be completed in a week. Within a month and a half, we'll be ready to move toward Earth."
Evans nodded. "Consider it done, Fleet Commander."
Finally, I turned to Tyler, head of the R&D department. "Tyler, I want your team to begin reconstructing the technologies stored in our systems—designs from the simulations and games I played back on Earth. Those technologies will serve as the foundation for our fleet's advancement. Everything must be ready by the time we leave this sector."
Tyler smiled confidently. "We'll get it done, Fleet Commander."
I leaned back, my expression calm yet determined. "This is the beginning of our journey, but I promise you all—together, we will forge an empire that will echo through the stars."
The leaders nodded in unison, a mix of resolve and anticipation in their eyes.
....
With their orders given, the leaders nodded in unison before vanishing from the room. Some teleported directly to their stations, while others began preparations for their new deployments. Each moved with purpose, ready to fulfill their duties.
As the last of them disappeared, I turned to the Red Empress. "Red Empress, open the mission interface and display it to me."
"Of course, Master," the Red Empress replied. She raised her hand, and a semi-transparent holographic screen materialized before me.
While the interface loaded, I leaned back in my chair, my thoughts drifting to the vast wealth of technology stored in the ship's database. Back on Earth, I had painstakingly collected these designs and data while playing Galactic Conquest. Now, they were at my fingertips, more real than I had ever imagined. Many of these technologies were incredibly rare—some easily 10,000 years ahead of anything Earth had to offer.
What amazed me most wasn't just the sheer advancement of these technologies but the level of detail in their documentation. It was clear that the unknown Supreme Being who brought me here had ensured the data remained intact. Without it, my visit to Earth and plans for the future would have been severely hindered. Among these invaluable treasures was a crucial gene upgrade serum—a breakthrough that could enhance human potential far beyond its natural limits.
My musings were interrupted by the calm voice of the Red Empress. "Master, the mission interface is ready. Here are the current objectives."
Two mission prompts appeared on the holographic screen:
Create and Maintain a Fleet of At Least 14 Ships Within 45 Days Time Limit: 1 Month, 15 DaysRewards: Unknown
Establish Contact with Earth Within 2 Months Time Limit: 2 MonthsRewards: Unknown
I narrowed my eyes as I studied the missions. The first was a clear challenge, requiring swift and efficient fleet production. Though, with the efficiency of the Obliterator Shipyard and my transcendent equipment, this mission would be completed with ease—a mere breeze.
The second mission was equally crucial, but its ambiguity troubled me. Unlike the first, it lacked details about the nature of the contract or the specific rewards, leaving much open to interpretation. Yet, it was clear both missions were interconnected.
Building the fleet would establish my power while making contact with Earth would lay the groundwork for recruiting people and resources. Though resources were a minor concern—I could extract as much as I needed from various asteroid fields and beyond—securing Earth's cooperation would be another matter entirely.
A faint smile crossed my lips, a spark of determination igniting in my gaze. "Red Empress," I said, "record these missions and integrate their timelines into the fleet's overall objectives. We'll fulfill them both. Failure is not an option."
The Red Empress nodded. "Understood, Master. The mission parameters have been logged, and the fleet's schedule will be adjusted accordingly."
I rose from my seat, the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. The path ahead was daunting, but exhilaration coursed through me. This was the beginning of something extraordinary—a journey that would test my resolve, ingenuity, and leadership.
"Let's get to work," I said, my voice resolute.
The Red Empress inclined her head. "As you command, Master."
As I refocused my thoughts, the rest of the ship's crew was already hard at work. Evans, the Fleet's Resource and Industrial Head, wasted no time deploying the ship's automated mining equipment.
Within just two hours, nearly 300 units were scattered across nearby asteroids. Fully autonomous and highly efficient, the machinery began extracting vast quantities of raw materials, including titanium, tungsten, iron, steel, gold, platinum, and even the rare tetrataenite alloy.
Within thirty minutes of deployment, hundreds of thousands of tons of raw materials had been delivered to the ship's massive refineries. Operating at full capacity, the refineries processed approximately 28–30 million tons of pure metals in just half a day. This staggering output was enough to begin constructing two Antares-Class Battleships, as each required around 15 million tons of material.
However, construction wouldn't commence immediately. The R&D department needed to analyze the harvested materials and develop a new alloy to enhance the ship's durability and efficiency. With the ship's unparalleled computational power, simulations and testing were completed within minutes.
These types of alloys were quite simple and basic, so the process didn't take much time—especially with the Obliterator's immense computational capabilities and the Transcendent-grade alloy testing modules.